Whenever we are in market conditions such as those affected by Brexit, it is sensible to review the balance of our investment portfolios – and to assess our income and capital needs over the next few years. For example, looking at asset allocations, many balanced portfolios contain holdings in property funds when appropriate. While such… 
The Romans dedicated January to their god Janus – god of Endings, Transitions, and new Beginnings. He is depicted with two faces since he looks back to learn from the past and the year that has just ended (Endings) and, having taken stock (Transitions), he looks forward to the next year (new Beginnings). We would…
There was scarcely a mention of the ‘P’ word in October’s Budget speech (believe us, we were listening closely for it!). However, we had a good read of the accompanying ‘Red Book’ looking for any mention of pensions. At 106 pages, this was no mean feat. Fortunately, though, it was time well spent as some…
In the UK, we are faced with the challenge of an ageing population. Many of us will live longer than we might have expected. Already, 2.4% of the population is aged over 85. Because of improvements in healthcare and nutrition, this figure only looks set to rise. The Office of National Statistics currently estimates that…
…it’s not all to do with money! One of the increasing challenges facing parents and other family members today is achieving success in their estate planning – passing on their wealth well. But how should we define ‘success’? Much of estate planning focuses on the financial aspects: ensuring a tax-efficient and cost-efficient transition of wealth…
The Bank of Mum and Dad is a well-known concept and we all hate to see our children struggle financially, which is why many parents continue to support their children well into adulthood. The type of financial assistance given can take various forms, such as money towards a house deposit or a loan for a…
HMRC have issued updated guidance on the Requirement to Correct (RTC) legislation. The purpose of the RTC legislation is to require those with undeclared offshore tax liabilities (Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax or Inheritance Tax for the relevant periods) to disclose those liabilities to HMRC on or before the 30th September 2018. The legislation sets…
As part of your overall financial planning, one item that is worth considering is your state pension and whether you are on track to get the full amount. If not, it is possible to buy top-ups, which could boost your payout by £244 a year for life. The top-up scheme can be particularly relevant for…
One definition of Planning is ‘The process of deciding in detail how to do something before you actually start doing it!’ Not just a very sensible idea, but also an essential element within all Financial Planning. Successful planning should be structured and must incorporate periodic reviews of your plans – it is essentially a cyclical…
With the Royal Wedding only a few days away, we want to enter into the spirit of this wonderful event and, in doing so, are prompted to reflect on the financial advantages (well, we would wouldn’t we!) of saying ‘I do’ … A marriage or civil partnership can be a beautiful union of minds and…